Priest accused of sexually abusing children is now a practicing psychologist

November 20, 2017

Rev. Christopher Cunningham, a Roman Catholic priest who was accused of sexually abusing children in Southern California churches in the 1990s and early 2000s, is now working as a licensed psychologist in Rhode Island. He was licensed by the Rhode Island Department of Health in 2013.

Cunnigham is currently facing two civil lawsuits filed by two men, former parishioners who are now in their late 20s, that say Cunningham sexually abused them when they were ages 10 to 13.

The lawsuit alleges that throughout Cunningham’s years working as an active priest, pastors and parish staffers complained among themselves, and to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles about his behavior around children.

On Sept. 8, 2005, Cunningham was placed on “inactive leave.” In court documents in 2008, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles wrote that Cunningham was on “inactive leave,” following credible accusations of abuse.